TAUNTON, Ma. - In spite of the recruiting obstacles that have developed over the past year, Mason Kulpa enjoyed a process that culminated in a commitment to UMass-Amherst.

“It was a great experience overall,” explained the incoming senior at Dighton Rehoboth Regional. “It was unique with Covid. I went to as many events as I could, I sent out videos and I talked with a recruiting advisor … everything I could do to get my name out there the best I could.”

Kulpa pointed to a PBR event last July as the beginning of a process that included an acquaintance with advisor Jamie Pinzino, who first reached out to UMass-Amherst for the 53rd-rated 2022 shortstop in New England in October.

“They liked how physical I was overall at shortstop, how I moved and how consistently I swing it hard,” related the 6-2 185-pounder.

An unofficial visit took place in November.

“It was great,” reflected Kulpa about seeing a college for the first time that is located two hours from his home in Taunton. “It was a beautiful campus, it was kept up clean and it felt great to be there.”

Interaction with coaches at the Atlantic 10 Conference program continued after the visit.

“A lot of conversation took place,” Kulpa noted. “I sent more videos over the winter and I had my first zoom call with them in January. That was the first time I talked with the head coach Matt Reynolds. That felt amazing. It just felt right.”

An offer came in March, but there was plenty to weigh for Kulpa, who also had interest from Bucknell, Rhode Island, Columbia, Xavier and Quinnipiac.

“Academics was a high factor in making the decision,” pointed out Kulpa, a 4.2 student planning on a major in biomedical engineering.

Improvement along the way helped keep UMass-Amherst intrigued with the promising middle infielder.

“I’ve gotten a lot stronger,” Kulpa said. “I’m in the weight room every day. I’ve also gotten faster. My arm speed needed to improve and I did that.”

More work is on the horizon according to New England’s 300th-ranked 2022.

“My hitting can be more aggressive and my arm strength can still get better,” Kulpa related about what the focus will be on in the upcoming year.

UMass-Amherst sees Kulpa fitting in just fine.

“They said they needed a shortstop in that class,” Kulpa said. “They want me as a shortstop, but I’m willing to play second base, outfield, wherever it will get me in the lineup.”

It all sounded right for Kulpa.

“After talking it all over with my parents and my advisor for a few weeks, I finally made the decision to commit to UMass,” Kulpa noted

It brought completion to aspirations that began at a young age.

“It was one of my first dreams,” Kulpa said of playing the sport at the next level. “Ever since I was little I’ve thought about college baseball. In sixth grade it became my main goal and it’s been my goal from there on out.”

It became realistic years later.

“When I got to high school I made the team my freshman year and it was then I knew I could do it,” Kulpa noted. 

There was a lot of help in reaching the dream.

“My parents have always pushed me to be my best,” Kulpa said. “My friends and teammates have been supportive and they all pushed me. All my coaches, especially my high school coach Billy Cuthbertson, have helped as well. He knew from the beginning I could do it.”

When it finally became official, the 17-year-old was admittedly ecstatic.

“What a great overall feeling,” Kulpa said. “It was hard for me to believe at first. I didn’t know what to do with myself. It’s been one of my dreams, and it finally came true.”